Drawing upon decades of experience, RAND provides research services, systematic analysis, and innovative thinking to a global clientele that includes government agencies, foundations, and private-sector firms.

The Pardee RAND Graduate School (PRGS.edu) is the largest public policy Ph.D. program in the nation and the only program based at an independent public policy research organization—the RAND Corporation.

Download Free Electronic Document

Research Questions

How was the program developed and how does it operate?

How is the program implemented?

What are the implementation barriers and facilitators?

What do people think of the program?

This report is one component of a larger RAND project aimed at addressing income inequalities faced by workers with criminal records. Given the labor market challenges faced by people with criminal convictions, it can be challenging for probation agencies to help their clients find jobs, let alone earn living wages. This report summarizes findings from a descriptive case study of one program focused on the construction industry intended to improve the earning potential of individuals on probation in Sacramento County, California. Using a qualitative approach, the authors provide an understanding of how the program evolved; describe how program activities are delivered; identify implementation barriers and facilitators; and provide an overview of the program's successes and shortcomings as perceived by key stakeholders, including probation agents, construction companies, and probationers.

Key Findings

Seven facilitators were identified that aid program development and continued operation.

The program develops and leverages relationships with service providers and local employers to ensure that probationers have access to a full range of support.

The program has established and maintains a positive reputation with prospective employers to ensure ongoing job opportunities.

Recommendations

Explore funding opportunities to support a subsidy or stipend for program participation. This work incentive model has proven to be effective at improving retention.

Improve coordination between the probation officers and program staff to minimize student absenteeism. Develop a retention program that includes follow-up with probationers during the program and after job placement. Identify and address reasons for discontinued participation.

Increase shuttle pick-up locations to include some remote options. Offer additional alternative modes of transportation (e.g., taxi service). Supportive services like transportation are critical to program engagement and completion.

Identify funding sources and support services to assist probationers with addressing their driver's license issues. This may include collaborating with the Department of Motor Vehicles to identify a way to address the needs of probationers while still attending to the reason for the suspension or revocation in the first place.

Consider partnering with a drug treatment program to provide onsite services to prospective and current program participants to address issues with substance use. While these services are available in the community, having an onsite provider might encourage participation by eliminating the logistical barrier.

This report is part of the RAND Corporation research report series. RAND reports present research findings and objective analysis that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors. All RAND reports undergo rigorous peer review to ensure high standards for research quality and objectivity.

Permission is given to duplicate this electronic document for personal use only, as long as it is unaltered and complete. Copies may not be duplicated for commercial purposes. Unauthorized posting of RAND PDFs to a non-RAND Web site is prohibited. RAND PDFs are protected under copyright law. For information on reprint and linking permissions, please visit the RAND Permissions page.

The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.

Barnes-Proby, Dionne, Priscillia Hunt, Lisa Jonsson, and Samantha Cherney, Bridge to Opportunities: How One Probation Agency Developed a Program Designed to Connect Probationers to High-Wage Jobs. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2018. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR2179.html.

Barnes-Proby, Dionne, Priscillia Hunt, Lisa Jonsson, and Samantha Cherney, Bridge to Opportunities: How One Probation Agency Developed a Program Designed to Connect Probationers to High-Wage Jobs, Santa Monica, Calif.: RAND Corporation, RR-2179-RC, 2018. As of December 18, 2018: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR2179.html

The RAND Corporation is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest.